2008 media releases

Inland Revenue expands e-services
13 October 2008

A new service from Inland Revenue allows organisations to view their account information online.

Chief Information Officer Ross Hughson said the new system, launched in September, means organisations now have access to the same information as individuals. Since 2003, individuals have been able to view account information online.

Organisations include businesses, partnerships, trusts, clubs and societies, and government bodies. Until now, online access to an organisation's account information has been limited to their tax agent.

"Businesses will be able to manage their tax affairs better because of the improved transparency they will gain in their tax affairs due to the direct access," said Mr Hughson.

"All that is required is for the organisation owner or authorised representative to phone us, and we will verify their identity and validate they are in a position of authority for the organisation."

As well as having access to account information, the owner or authorised representative can then delegate access to Inland Revenue's e-services to other people in their organisation. Those people will be added through a process called Manage Account Access, which only the owner or authorised representative can use. Delegated people will then be sent User IDs and passwords.

Mr Hughson said that the owner, or authorised representative, will be able to control which e-services other people in the organisation can access. "Some may get access to Send and Receive Email only, some may get access to the employer monthly schedule lodgement, and a senior staff member may have access to all e-services including account information."

Mr Hughson noted organisations will need to take the responsibility seriously. "For example, they must be careful to cancel staff access to Inland Revenue e-services when staff leave."

So far, 4860 customers have registered and been verified through the new managed account process. These include owners as well as delegates within their organisations who have been given access to some or all e-services.

"We expect demand to grow as more customers become aware of the benefits of using Inland Revenue's e-services," said Mr Hughson.

For further information:
Catherine Delore
(04) 890 1743
(029) 890 1743
catherine.delore@ird.govt.nz

Other media releases this year

• Accountant sentenced for tax evasion
• Invercargill accountant jailed for tax evasion
• Dairy owner sentenced for hiding half a million
• Tauranga court jails man for tax evasion
• Most Working for Families recipients not charged interest for overpayments
• Former Kaikohe farm manager jailed for tax evasion
• Auckland plasterer jailed for tax evasion
• New callback service rolled out across Call Centre
• Former employee sentenced
• KiwiSaver report released
• Do-it-yourself tax refunds
• Employers reminded about new tax rates
• Former Inland Revenue employee pleads guilty to corruption
• Sentencing strong message for contractors
• Accountant jailed for defrauding clients and Inland Revenue
• Inland Revenue pilots callback system to help customers
• Inland Revenue proposes changes to company tax return
• Agricultural contractor sentenced
• Jail for horticultural student
• Tax fraud results in jail term
• Thousands apply for student loan amnesty
• Early Working for Families Tax Credits payments
• Inland Revenue wins People's Choice NetGuide web award for second time
• Waikato couple sentenced for tax evasion
• Inland Revenue warns about income diversion
• Report of investigation of an error in tax revenue numbers
• Tax credits for people made redundant
• R&D tax credit goes live
• Student Loan amnesty - last chance to apply
• Revised financial statements
• Tax advice for investors in failed finance companies
• Tax advice for property investors
• Provisional tax gets easier
• Early Working for Families Tax Credits payments
• IRD numbers about to get longer
• Tax authorities work together to stop international tax evasion
• Inland Revenue helps drought-affected farmers
• IRD numbers available at NZ Post and AA
• Inland Revenue warns against divulging personal details
• Second jail term for major tax scam
• Welcome surprise for owners of forgotten money
• End-of-year tax date fast approaching
• Time running out for student loan amnesty

more media releases ›

Corporate Affairs
Inland Revenue

To make a media query:
Phone 04 890 1698 or email mediaqueries@ird.govt.nz
Please note, the email address is only for enquiries from the news media. It is monitored during normal business hours 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

P O Box 2198
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Date published: 17 Oct 2008

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